Installing a new roof involves nailing down thousands of nails. If you have a garage that is attached to your house, any stray nails could hit your car or your belongings.
The vibrations from hammering can also knock framed pictures, mirrors and wreaths off walls. It is a good idea to remove these and any other fragile items from your home before starting the project.
1. Remove Your Lights
A roof replacement is a big project that will impact the interior and exterior of your home. You can mitigate the disruption by removing your lights, protecting the attic, and covering your possessions to keep them safe during construction.
During the installation process, the pounding of hammers will cause dust and dirt to fall inside your home. This can damage things like chandeliers, mirrors, knick-knack shelves, and collectible plates. It’s best to remove these items ahead of time.
Skylights are a great way to add natural light to a room, but they’re not ideal for the duration of a roof replacement. The hammering and drilling will cause them to shift, which could lead to leaks. Talk to the supervisor when they do their walkaround before the work begins, and they will mark the locations of your skylights.
2. Clear the Attic
Your attic is more than just storage space; it may also be home to a collection of valuables. While your roofers will do their best to avoid smacking shingles or walking around on the attic, it’s best to move valuables like heirloom furniture, antiques, and family photos to a first-story room.
This will give them a chance to be protected from dust and debris throughout the roofing process. It will also keep these items out of the reach of children and pets.
You may also want to move items stored outside your house, like a patio furniture set, ceramic landscaping features, or large children’s toys. This will prevent them from getting knocked over by debris and dust during the roof replacement. This is especially important if these objects are close to the house. Also, it’s a good idea to cut back trees that might get in the way of roofers.
3. Turn Off the Heat
It’s important to turn off your heat for the duration of the roof replacement so you don’t waste energy heating and cooling your home. Additionally, it’s best to keep your pets inside for the duration of the work because hammering and strangers will disturb them and you don’t want to risk a dog or cat running away and getting lost during construction.
It’s also a good idea to inform your neighbors of the project. This is particularly helpful if your neighbors have children or pets because they’ll likely be upset by the hammering and dust in their homes. Additionally, warning your neighbors will give them the opportunity to relocate their belongings or leave them at home for the duration of the project. This will save everyone a lot of headache. Additionally, you should consider covering any possessions that are in the attic to protect them from dirt and dust that might fall off of the ceiling during construction.
4. Turn Off the Electricity
Your contractors will need access to power outlets to operate their equipment during the roof redo. Ideally, they should use the outlets outside of your house, but if those aren’t available, outlets in the garage work well too. If you plan on using an extension cord, make sure that it is placed in a spot that doesn’t get much foot traffic so that people don’t trip over it.
5. Clear the Path
When roofing contractors rip off old shingles, they will scatter bits of broken glass, nails and other debris throughout your yard. While they will try to direct as much trash into a garbage bin, there’s no guarantee that everything will make it in. To avoid the hazard of kids and pets stepping on these stray pieces, move your patio furniture, lawn ornaments and other yard items away from the work area.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to trim any tree branches that might be hanging over your roof or in its path. This will ensure that you have enough space to maneuver the dumpster and other equipment. Also, clear paths around your home so that roofing professionals can easily access your roof from all sides. This will prevent them from tripping on toys or knocking over outdoor furniture.
6. Take Down Your Decorations
If you have a lot of decorations on your home or garden, you may want to take them down before the crew starts work. The banging and hammering from the roof replacement can cause vibrations, which can knock decorations off walls or break glass items. Also, be sure to move or tarp anything fragile that you have stored in the attic.
You will also want to tidy up your yard and remove any outdoor furniture, lawn ornaments, or grills. If possible, you should put these items away in storage or ask your contractor if they can cover them with plastic sheets for protection during the project. Additionally, you should move any vehicles so they aren’t in the way of the contractors or distract them. This is especially important if you have children or pets. Having them around during the roof replacement can be dangerous, so you should consider having them stay with friends or relatives for the duration of the project.
7. Remove Your Toys and Outdoor Furniture
As they work, roofing professionals need to walk around your property to access the roof from all sides. Any toys or furniture lying around might be damaged by falling shingles and debris. So, you should move them to a shed or garage and cover them with tarps. If you have a gazebo in your garden, it’s best to take it down or tie its curtains up.
It’s also a good idea to remove any outdoor furniture, grills, decorative elements and children’s toys. It’s a good idea to put them in the garage or even move them to another area for the duration of your home’s roof replacement.
Kids and pets can be easily injured by falling shingles or debris during the roof replacement process. If they can’t understand the danger, have them stay at a friend’s house for the duration of the project.
8. Move Your Vehicles
During roof replacement, there will be a lot of noise and commotion around your house. If you have children or pets, it’s best to have them stay with friends or family members during the project so they aren’t scared or stressed out by all the commotion.
Also, if you have cars parked in the driveway, it’s best to move them away from the work zone so they don’t get damaged by debris or dirt that falls off of the new roof. You should also move any patio furniture, hoses, garbage bins, and other outdoor items that are close to your home.
You should also let your neighbors know that you’re having a roof replaced so they can prepare themselves for any inconveniences as well. They’ll appreciate your heads up and be more likely to cooperate during the project.
9. Clear the Yard and Patio
Your yard and patio can get covered in dust, debris, and nails from the roof work. To minimize this potential for damage, consider moving anything outside such as children’s toys, patio furniture, lawn ornaments, or grills to a safe location. If this isn’t possible, cover them with tarps.
Similarly, any items stored in your attic could get covered in dust during the roof replacement. It is advisable to relocate any fragile items such as plates, glasses, and vases to another area of the house.
Also, if you have any potted plants or flower beds in your garden, consider covering them with netting or tarps. For any plants that cannot be moved, clearly mark them so that the roofers know to give them a wide berth. This will help ensure they are not accidentally damaged or stepped on during the project.